Viewers face tough choice

September 15, 2006|By Teddy Greenstein.

1. Iowa State at No. 16 Iowa

11 a.m., ESPN

Iowa QB Drew Tate could have played last Saturday at Syracuse, but coach Kirk Ferentz rested his strained abdomen. Good move. The Cyclones have dominated this series of late, winning six of the last eight.

2. No. 11 Michigan at No. 2 Notre Dame

2:30 p.m., WMAQ-Ch. 5

Michigan coach Lloyd Carr is 0-3 in South Bend. Big surprise: He doesn't like talking about it.

3. No. 6 LSU at No. 3 Auburn

2:30 p.m., WBBM-Ch. 2

Will John Vaughn's right leg decide it? He can only hope. Last year Vaughn missed five field goals in Auburn's 20-17 overtime loss to LSU. At least Vaughn rallied to make 12 of his final 15 tries in '05.

4. No. 15 Oklahoma at No. 18 Oregon

2:30 p.m., WLS-Ch. 7

Most of Illinois, including Chicago, will get to see whether Oregon can beat Oklahoma for the first time in seven attempts. Oklahoma is a soft 2-0 and hoping to stay undefeated for an Oct. 7 showdown against Texas.

5. No. 7 Florida at No. 13 Tennessee

7 p.m., WBBM-Ch. 2

The loser should consider canceling plans to play in the SEC championship game. Tennessee still is searching for an identity after pummeling California but squeaking by Air Force 31-30.

6. No. 19 Nebraska at No. 4 USC

7 p.m., WLS-Ch. 7

You think the trends favor USC? The Cornhuskers haven't beaten a Top 10 team since a 1997 victory at Washington. The Trojans, meanwhile, have won 27 straight home games.